BY MARIA JAMES —The Hyattsville Life & Times (HL&T) is celebrating a big win in community journalism.
The judges of the National Newspaper Association (NNA) Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and Better Newspaper Advertising Contest have awarded the HL&T first place in the category of Best Use of Color in the Daily/Non-daily Division.
The design work of Layout and Design Editor Ashley Perks was praised by the judges: “Love the primary, bright colors … like a box of Crayolas. Great job throughout, both in news design and advertising.”
In addition to this award, the paper was also recognized in the category of Best Serious Column. Columnist Gray O’Dwyer’s “Bricks and Mortar” received an honorable mention for the column entitled “Getting Hitched.” The judges said the column had, “great sense of place … well done.”
The NNA’s Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and Better Newspaper Advertising Contest are the only national competitions recognizing the best in community journalism. This year there were 1,436 entries in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and 316 entries in the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest for a total of 1,752 entries, and 470 awards were won by 151 member newspapers in 39 states. The judges offered high praise for this year’s submissions. One judge commented, “So impressive! Anyone who thinks community journalism is dying in America today hasn’t looked at any of these papers.”
The HL&T is no stranger to these great wins. In 2012, the paper captured first place for Best Serious Column and in 2015 it was ranked third nationally among large daily and non-daily publications.
The winners of this will be recognized during the NNA’s 130th Annual Convention & Trade Show at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin,Tenn.
HL&T‘s editors and board of directors would like to thank all of the former editors, staff, volunteer writers, columnists, contributors, local officials and other community members who continue to help make this publication top in the nation.
